Holism—Outside the Box

Cloud, oil on panel, 24” x 39”, 2017, available for purchase at LaurenMantecon.com

Holism: Where Parts of a Whole Are in Intimate Connection

“Outside The Box”: A metaphor to think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective. This phrase often refers to novel or creative thinking. Often referred to as “what creatives do.”

When I was five, I had a variety of different colored tights I would wear with short dresses that my mother would sew for me. I loved my purple ones best.

While playing hard on the jungle gym during kindergarten recess one afternoon, I looked down at my right knee cap, and to my dismay, there was a perfect hole an inch in diameter.

I distinctly remember thinking, “I’m going to be in so much trouble for losing a piece of my clothing.” I then set out on the task of scouring the playground for my missing hole. I thought if I could find it, my mom might sew it back and all would be right again.

For years as an adult when recollecting that story in my head, I would cringe with embarrassment. How could I be so stupid?

I have since changed my mind. When I think of that story now, it’s with more compassion and a slight awe at a five-year-old’s innocence of perception. I want more of that.

Shifts in Perception

As a global community, we all spend more and more time in boxes. Mine happens to be approximately 6’ x 3’ in size. Lately I have asked myself, how can I possibly get the majority of my inspiration from this flat screen blasting out imagery from places like Instagram and YouTube?

The flipside of this is that there is an interconnectedness that we all have now that would just not be possible without our screened-in boxes. Or, if we shift, maybe—just maybe—these are our baby steps towards a greater intimacy.

Someday we will all be able to immediately communicate with anybody without a gadget or device. Perhaps we are already there and we need to remove the training wheels and believe it so, just as I know the sky is blue today.

Sensory Awareness is a Practice

I want to find the holes in unassuming places. I want to turn my technical experience into authentic emotional waves of connected inspiration. I want to think outside the box.

Sincerely, Lauren